Can Alcohol Influence the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease?

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Effect of alcohol consumption on Alzheimer’s disease have been controversial.

Some studies show alcohol has a protective effect against the disease, while other studies have pointed to a harmful role for alcohol in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive diseases.

A new study from the University of Illinois, Chicago found that some of the genes affected by alcohol and inflammation are also concerned with beta amyloid peptides. These peptides form the main component of the amyloid plaques found in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients, which causes negative impact on communication between the neurons.

The study suggests that alcohol consumption, and its impact on the immune system and inflammation in the brain, may be the vehicle through which alcohol might exert its influence on the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

To test their hypothesis, researchers exposed rat microglial cells to alcohol, inflammatory cells called proinflammatory cytokines, or alcohol and cytokines for a 24-hour period. The scientists then analyzed the cells to see if their gene expression had changed in each scenario, as well as if the cells could still attack amyloid beta.

Moderate alcohol intake is widely considered to be associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Heavy drinking increases the risk.

What does this mean for Latinos?

Latinos and Alcoholism?

1 in 10 Latinos will have alcohol dependence at some point in their lives and for a number of reasons, some Latinos feel that rehab is difficult to access, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

More importantly, 33% of Latinos who become alcohol dependent have recurrent or persistent problems, compared with 22.8% of non-Latino Whites.

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Salud America! is a national Latino-focused organization that creates culturally relevant and research-based stories and tools to inspire people to drive healthy changes to policies, systems, and environments for Latino children and families. The network is a project of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio.